2006 Chrysler Sebring Review

American automakers once built a good number of roomy, comfortable convertibles. Most have become collector's items, but we still have the Chrysler Sebring convertible.

The Sebring soft top pretty much owns the affordable mid-size convertible market. That might seem surprising, considering that this drop-top model hasn't changed much since being revamped for 2001.

But there aren't many large convertibles on the market with four decent-sized seats and an affordable price. That's partly why the Sebring soft top long has been popular in rental fleets in Sun Belt states. The problem with the smaller Ford Mustang rental convertibles is their small back seat areas.

An all-new Sebring convertible is scheduled to arrive sometime in 2007. But the current model still is stylish, has a rear seat area that comfortably accommodates two tall adults and performs well with its available 2.7-liter, 200-horsepower V-6.

A 2.4-liter, 150-horsepower four-cylinder is in the base version, but makes the 3,301-pound convertible slower and noisier -- and not much more economical.

The V-6 delivers an estimated 21 mpg in the city and 28 on highways, while figures for the four-cylinder are 22 and 30.

Both engines can use regular-grade gasoline and work with a responsive four-speed automatic transmission, which has a manual shift gate in the top-line Sebring Limited soft top.

The Sebring convertible comes as a $26,115 base model, $27,540 GTC version, more upscale $28,865 Touring and $31,675 Limited.

The base model isn't a bad deal for those who just want a stylish, roomy open car for lazy cruising. It lacks the V-6, but is pretty well-equipped with a power vinyl top, console, air conditioning, tilt wheel, cruise control, tachometer, AM/FM/CD sound system and power mirrors, windows and locks with remote keyless entry.

The GTC is the sportiest version. It adds the 2.7-liter V-6, all-disc brakes, sport suspension, rear spoiler and wider 60-series tires on 16-inch wheels (vs. narrower 65-series tires on 15-inch wheels). The last Sebring convertible I tested was a "2002-1/2" GTC model with a five-speed manual gearbox, but that transmission is long gone.

The Touring adds a leather-wrapped steering wheel with radio controls, leather/suede upholstery, power driver seat, fog lights and a touring suspension, but deletes the rear spoiler.

The Limited adds leather upholstery, upscale sound system, traction control, antilock brakes, chrome alloy wheels and a power cloth convertible top, which is superior to the vinyl top partly because it provides a quieter top-up interior.

There are a bunch of option packages. They include a $930 Luxury Group for the Limited that contains walnut trim, 6-disc in-dash CD changer and automatic temperature control.

Stand-alone options include anti-lock brakes with traction control (standard on Limited), $350 power driver seat for base and GTC versions and $250 heated front seats for the Touring and Limited trim levels.

The 2.7-liter V-6 is no powerhouse, being rather small for a car that weighs more than 3,000 pounds, but it is sophisticated with double overhead camshafts and 24 valves. It provides lively in-town performance, good merges into fast expressway traffic and decent 65-75 mph passing.

The Sebring is enjoyable, with accurate steering, a supple ride, good brakes and responsive handling, which is sharpest with the upper three models because they have a special suspension and wider tires.

Long doors make it easy to get in or out, unless you're in tight parking areas, and the front bucket seats are supportive. Gauges can be quickly read and climate controls can be easily worked, although sound system controls should be larger.

Positioning of power window controls on the driver's door kept leading me to accidentally open the rear windows instead of the front ones. Door storage pockets are reasonably large, and there's a deep covered console storage bin.

The snug-fitting top has a glass rear window, and quickly lowers and goes up at the touch of a switch. Front shoulder belts are integrated into the front seats so they don't hinder access to the rear seat.

The trunk is shallow but offers a decent amount of room for a mid-size convertible, top up or down.

The revamped 2001 Sebring convertible was made 44 percent stiffer than its predecessor, and that made it tighter and less prone to body flex, which causes shakes and rattles. I noticed minor body shake with the top up over rough roads with the current model. But, after all, this is not a far more costly BMW or Mercedes-Benz. 

2006 CHRYSLER SEBRING CONVERTIBLE 

PRICE: $26,115-$31,675

LIKES: Stylish. Roomy back seat. Decent performance with V-6.

DISLIKES: Long, heavy doors. Small sound system controls. Some body shake.